KIRKUS REVIEW

An encyclopedic history
of the emergence of life on Earth that “traces the history of life from the
dawn of evolution to the present day through the lens of one hundred living
things that have changed the world.”

Lloyd (What on Earth
Happened?: The Complete Story of the Planet, Life, and People from the Big Bang
to the Present Day, 2008, etc.) orders species chronologically and also
ranks them according to the impact that these “living things have had on the
path of evolution.” The book—originally titled What on Earth Evolved? and
first published in 2009 in the U.K. to commemorate the 150th anniversary of
Charles Darwin's Origin of the Species—is divided into two major
sections. The first, “Before Humans,” from 4 billion to 12,000 years ago,
deals with the “the impact of species that evolved in the wild”—e.g., viruses,
algae, trees, fish, insects, and, eventually, Homo sapiens. The
second section, “After Humans,” spans the period from “12,000 years ago to the
present day” and discusses “the impact of species that thrived in the presence
of modern mankind.” The author gives special emphasis to the role of viruses,
which, through infection, caused mutations that induced “critical innovations”
in a variety of species. He also spotlights predators such as sharks, for
mastering “the art of sexual reproduction” 400 million years ago. The biggest
evolutionary news occurred when “modern humans first emerged in Africa, about
160,000 years ago.” Lloyd also offers a fascinating historical sidelight on how
the “potyvirus,” by causing the spectacular mutation of tulips, created the conditions
for the first speculative boom and bust. He gives the lowly earthworm top
ranking due to its crucial role in creating fertile soil, while Homo
sapiens occupy the sixth position. “Traditional history,” writes the
author, “seldom considers the impact of a range of living species that have, in
their own way, had a far greater impact on the planet, life and people than
human contributions, such as politics, war and inventions.”

A good fit for middle and
high school libraries as a useful reference.

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